How to Deal with Feline Pica
Get help from your veterinarian., Hire an animal behaviour consultant., Keep poison control on speed dial.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get help from your veterinarian.
If your cat is compulsively chewing and eating non-food items, consult your veterinarian.
Your vet may recommend anti-anxiety medication as a start to curbing your cat's behaviour.
They may also test for other medical explanations for your cat's symptoms, including:
Anemia Dental disease Feline leukemia Diabetes Brain tumors -
Step 2: Hire an animal behaviour consultant.
If your cat's pica is not explained by a specific medical condition, seek professional help to deal with it as a behavioural problem.
An animal behaviourist can assess your cat's problem and manage, modify, and prevent the problem behaviour from repeating itself.
To find a certified animal behaviour consultant near you, visit the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants' website at http://iaabc.org/consultants/cat. , In the event that your cat ingests a toxic substance as a result of its feline pica, have an animal poison control phone line on your speed dial.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has a 24/7 emergency line for immediate consultations. -
Step 3: Keep poison control on speed dial.
Detailed Guide
If your cat is compulsively chewing and eating non-food items, consult your veterinarian.
Your vet may recommend anti-anxiety medication as a start to curbing your cat's behaviour.
They may also test for other medical explanations for your cat's symptoms, including:
Anemia Dental disease Feline leukemia Diabetes Brain tumors
If your cat's pica is not explained by a specific medical condition, seek professional help to deal with it as a behavioural problem.
An animal behaviourist can assess your cat's problem and manage, modify, and prevent the problem behaviour from repeating itself.
To find a certified animal behaviour consultant near you, visit the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants' website at http://iaabc.org/consultants/cat. , In the event that your cat ingests a toxic substance as a result of its feline pica, have an animal poison control phone line on your speed dial.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has a 24/7 emergency line for immediate consultations.
About the Author
Larry Ellis
Brings years of experience writing about home improvement and related subjects.
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